Through The Rear Window: Movie Review ... 12 Years A Slave

Monday, January 27, 2014

Movie Review ... 12 Years A Slave

It’s easy being cynical around movie award season. A rash of films arrives ticking the boxes which voters presumably find appealing. Soul-defying drama, triumph over adversity, scenes full of tears and eloquently written speeches are all part of the mix. ’12 Years a Slave’ has these in abundance. Making it stand out from the glut of Oscar-baiting movies is its authenticity and refusal to delve into melodrama. It spins a tale worthy of attention and maybe a few awards as well.

During the 1840’s, black violinist Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) lives in New York with his young family. Venturing out of town on a supposed music gig, he is abducted and sold to slavery. Over the next 12 years, he struggles as a slave in America’s Deep South. Amongst many masters is Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) who enjoys inflicting intense cruelty. Determined to be re-united with his family, Solomon aims to be free of his injustice and regain the dignity he deserves.

Based on a true story and directed by Steve McQueen, ’12 Years A Slave’ is often difficult viewing. The many scenes of abject brutality, makes you wonder how such things occurred. Unfortunately they did with the attitudes of the time becoming a historical mark of shame. That Solomon struggles to endure such horrible treatment shows strength of character against his oppressors. Despite occasionally not having the emotional connection his character’s scenes need, Ejiofor injects true compassion and determination.

He is ably assisted by a uniformly strong cast, including Fassbender who makes his role a study in calculated evil. Much has been made about the violence shown although this aids in depicting the true horror of what Solomon and others went through. How racist masters aimed to strip every last vestige of their slave’s humanity is awful to see. The level of hope played an important part in maintaining the diminishing spirit of the slaves with being free to live their lives paramount.

Although ’12 Years A Slave’ may adhere to what award voters desire, it’s more honest than most biographical films. Unflinching in portrayal of surviving pure hatred, it can be only be wished that such thoughts will one day finally be eradicated.